Between Siblings

Shu still couldn't fall asleep. He lay awake until the middle of the night, and finally, he'd had enough.

After Kiana said those words, Shu was filled with an inexplicable sense of unease, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what was bothering him.

He lay there for a while, then numbly sat up. After sitting for a few minutes, Shu stood up with a dark expression and began pacing back and forth. After a couple of laps, Shu's face was so gloomy it was practically dripping with rain. He opened the door and walked out of their resting area.

The restlessness in his heart caused Shu to close the door a little harder than he intended. Immediately, a few people nearby groggily lifted their heads, looking towards Shu.

But when they saw it was Shu, none of them said a word. Instead, they smiled at Shu in the darkness, then laid back down and went back to sleep.

Shu was silent. He felt the [Expectation] within him increase by an extremely faint amount.

Instantly, the restlessness in Shu's heart lessened considerably.

Smiling apologetically at these people, Shu softened his footsteps and walked further away.

Once again, he embarked on a journey to clear his head. He knew the way like the back of his hand, and soon, Shu saw that familiar place and sat down in his usual spot.

Alone in the darkness, Shu's mood finally calmed down.

"The side effects of this ability are really something…" Unlike last time, where he was rolling on the ground, crying and yelling, Shu just sat there wearily, laughing at himself in exasperation.

They say the more experiences a person has, the more mature they become. Shu thought about it, and realized he could actually spin such a massive lie in front of so many people now…

Fire Moth… he must have been out of his mind to choose that name. After all, none of the Fire Moth organizations in history ended well.

But Shu felt that no name was more fitting for their current situation than Fire Moth.

Thinking of this, Shu couldn't help but raise his hand, staring at his palm as he fell into deep thought.

The growth trend of [Expectation] within him was a little different from what he imagined. Shu had thought [Expectation] could be continuously generated, but apart from the surge when he mentioned Fire Moth, the [Expectation] within him had barely increased at all.

Is it not just [Prayers], but even [Expectation] that are non-renewable? Or perhaps… is the amount of [Expectation] gained determined by the upper limit of a person's… attitude?

Wouldn't that make it a non-renewable resource then?

Shu had a headache, and after staring at his palm for another two seconds, he sighed.

"Forget it!" Shu stood up, stretching. "Anyway, I already have what I need! Why be so greedy!"

Bang! A loud noise startled Shu, and he quickly turned around to look behind him.

No way, I was quiet all night, and just saying one sentence got me caught?

Is this world just excessively hostile towards me?

But after watching for a while, Shu realized there was no one around to accuse him of disturbing the peace. There was only a faint light spilling from a half-open door in the distance.

And that sudden loud noise had come from there.

Shu narrowed his eyes, a sense of curiosity rising within him.

Although he knew he shouldn't intrude on other people's business at a time like this, Shu thought of someone else.

Chen Shicheng, the man who was the last straw for this shelter.

But had that guy done anything wrong? No, probably not… Even outsiders like them could see that this shelter was desperately short on supplies as soon as they arrived. That guy was just trying to find a way out for the shelter.

It was just that reality proved that he couldn't handle the dangers on that path.

Shu didn't know if the other party would continue to take risks this time, but Shu at least convinced himself.

Okay, fine, I lost to my damn curiosity again.

Just one peek—

Shu quietly walked towards that door.

"Brother! I don't want to join that Fire Moth thing!" As he got closer, Shu heard a heart-wrenching voice of disgust.

It was Yun Mengxi's voice. Shu had talked with Yun Mengxi for quite a while, although they hadn't exchanged many words, Shu recognized her voice immediately.

So why is she so disgusted with Fire Moth? At least Fire Moth seems pretty glamorous on the surface, right!

No, wait, the point is, did I ever mention anything about "joining"?

Shu was full of confusion. These questions kept him from leaving immediately.

"Mengxi, going with them is the best way out for you. I'll beg him, seek cooperation, plead – you shouldn't stay here!"

Yun Feng's voice was unexpectedly serious, but unlike his tone when talking to Shu, the conflict in Yun Feng's voice was obvious to anyone listening.

"You had a very high reputation and popularity before the Honkai outbreak. A public figure is very valuable to them! And following them will better ensure your safety!"

"But I don't want to go with them!" Yun Mengxi's voice sounded on the verge of collapse. "I've only known them for less than a day! I don't even know what kind of people they are!"

Ouch, right in the heart.

Shu grimaced. So, the shelter's hostility towards me was waiting for me here, huh.

But Shu could understand Yun Mengxi's reluctance. Going with people you just met is indeed a bit…

Yun Feng also realized this point, but after a slight pause, Yun Feng still insisted on his view.

"An organization capable of sending out a dedicated team to perform missions and find survivors is far better than this place, Mengxi. Since those people seem to have a good impression of you, you should use your influence to get such a ticket…"

"I don't want it! That was before! I'm not a celebrity anymore now! No one will wave glow sticks and cheer for me anymore! They don't need a burden who can only sing!

Brother! How many more times are you going to make decisions for me? What I like isn't love songs! Or smiling sweetly in front of others! I have things I like myself! Why do you keep controlling my life again and again! Now you even want to take away my right to stay by your side?!"

Shu was stunned. Yun Feng's voice also vanished instantly. Clearly, neither the parties involved nor the eavesdropper had expected Yun Mengxi's sudden outburst.

While Shu was still in shock, the half-closed door was yanked open, and Yun Mengxi rushed out, tears in her eyes, bumping right into the unprepared Shu.

Shu smiled awkwardly. Being caught eavesdropping red-handed would make anyone feel awkward… except maybe Otto, he might be here to join in.

Yun Mengxi quickly lowered her head, went around Shu, and ran off with her head down, without a word.

"Mr. Shu?" A somewhat weary Yun Feng walked out of the door. He was also surprised to see Shu, but quickly adjusted his expression. "Sorry you had to see that…"

"It's nothing…" Shu turned back, adjusting his mindset. "This is…"